How to tell them apart
ごとに attaches to nouns and verbs to express regular intervals or distribution, as in 三日ごとに, 一人ごとに, and 話すごとに. たびに follows verbs or Nの, as in 話すたびに and 旅行のたびに, to express that whenever that occasion happens something follows. Both can follow verbs, but ごとに stresses even repetition while たびに stresses the trigger.
- ごとに Use ごとに to express regular spacing, distribution per item, or each repeated occasion.
- たびに Use たびに to express whenever an event occurs and leads to another result.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| ごとに gotoni | each time, at every interval | N4 |
| たびに tabini | Each time, whenever something occurs | N3 |
ごとに gotoni
each time, at every interval
ごとに expresses that something happens at every interval or on each occurrence, like every three hours or each time you visit. It attaches directly to nouns for time or frequency such as ３時間ごとに or 日曜日ごとに, and to the dictionary form of verbs such as 会うごとに. Avoid adding extra particles like は before it, and use it only for regular repeating patterns rather than a single event.
-
私は６時間ごとに薬を飲まないといけない。
I have to take my medicine every six hours.
-
３週間ごとに会ってます。
We meet every three weeks.
たびに tabini
Each time, whenever something occurs
たびに expresses that whenever the situation before it happens, the situation after it always happens too. It follows the dictionary form of a verb, as in 読むたびに or 見るたびに, and follows a noun with の, as in 夏のたびに. The verb stays in the non-past form even when describing past repeated events. It is neutral in style and common in both speech and writing.
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この本は読むたびに発見がある。
Every time I read this book, I find something new.
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これを見るたびにいつも彼のことを思い出す。
Whenever I see this, I remember him.
ごとに and たびに are JLPT N4–N3 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.